No hobby beekeeping: city committee

Beekeeping is restricted under the exotic-animal bylaw, which does not allow residents to keep animals such as venomous snakes, monkeys, sheep, horses or other species that could be a nuisance in the city. Apiaries are not allowed in commercial or residential neighbourhoods, and bees can only be housed in urban areas zoned for agriculture, such as the University of Manitoba agricultural research field.

A new city report, released last week, recommends Winnipeg not expand hobby beekeeping. The report cited several concerns about urban beekeeping, saying the bees may pose a threat to those with allergies, a beehive may diminish neighbouring property values, and hobby beekeepers will likely register for mosquito fogging buffer zones, which could be another concern for surrounding homeowners.

On Monday, beekeepers told council's protection and community services committee Winnipeg should conduct consultations on the matter and be able to move ahead with urban beekeeping.

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